Alaska tenant rights

Guides for Alaska renters

Security deposit in Alaska

Limit

Two months' rent (deposit and prepaid rent combined), except for units renting for more than $2,000 a month, which have no cap. A separate pet deposit of up to one more month's rent is allowed (not for service animals).

Deadline to return it

If you or the landlord gave proper notice to end the tenancy, the landlord must mail you an itemized list and any refund within 14 days after the tenancy ends and you hand back the unit. The landlord has 30 days instead if deducting for damage you caused (beyond normal wear and tear). If you did not give proper notice, the landlord has 30 days after the tenancy ends, you hand back the unit, or the landlord learns the unit was abandoned. It is mailed to your last known address, so give the landlord your new address. AS 34.03.070(b), (g).

Itemized list

Unpaid rent and damages must be itemized in a written notice mailed to you with any amount due back. The statute does not require receipts. AS 34.03.070(b).

What may be deducted

Unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear, including damage by your guests. Deposits can be applied only after the tenancy ends. 'Nonrefundable cleaning fees' and automatic forfeiture clauses are unlawful according to the Department of Law handbook.

Interest

The deposit statute (AS 34.03.070) does not require the landlord to pay interest.

Separate account

Deposits and prepaid rent must be promptly placed, wherever practicable, in a trust account at a bank, savings and loan, or licensed escrow agent, kept apart from the landlord's other money and accounted for tenant by tenant. AS 34.03.070(c).

Move-in checklist

Not required unless the landlord asks for one. If the landlord requires it, a written premises condition statement (and contents inventory for furnished units) becomes part of the lease when both of you sign it, and it is presumed evidence of the unit's condition at move-in. Check it carefully before signing. AS 34.03.020(e), 34.03.090(b).

If the landlord keeps it wrongly

If the landlord willfully fails to itemize and return the deposit as required, you can recover up to twice the amount actually withheld. AS 34.03.070(d). The winning side in a case under the Act can also get attorney fees (AS 34.03.350).

Law

AS 34.03.070

How to get your deposit back

1. Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
2. Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Alaska: It is mailed to your last known address, so give the landlord your new address.
3. Wait for the deadline: If you or the landlord gave proper notice to end the tenancy, the landlord must mail you an itemized list and any refund within 14 days after the tenancy ends and you hand back the unit.
4. If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
5. If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $10,000 plus interest and court costs. Evictions cannot be filed in small claims. Small claims court in Alaska on RobinClaim

Full Alaska security deposit guide

Repairs in Alaska

The landlord's duty

The landlord must keep the unit fit and habitable, comply with health and safety codes, keep common areas clean and safe, maintain electrical, plumbing, heating and other facilities and appliances, provide trash receptacles, supply running water, reasonable hot water and heat, provide locks and keys if requested, and provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. AS 34.03.100.

How to ask for repairs

Give the landlord written notice describing the problem. For a material lease breach or a habitability problem affecting health and safety, your notice can say the lease will end on a date at least 20 days after the landlord receives it if the problem is not fixed within 10 days. For essential services (heat, water, hot water, sanitary facilities), your rights start only after you give written notice describing the breach. AS 34.03.160(a), 34.03.180(c).

Repair and deduct

Only for essential services. If the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply running water, hot water, heat, sanitary facilities or other essential services, you can give written notice describing the problem and then buy reasonable amounts of the missing service yourself and deduct the actual, reasonable cost from the rent (keep receipts). This does not apply if you or your guests caused the problem. AS 34.03.180(a)(1), (c).

Withholding rent

Not as a general right. For a failed essential service, after written notice you may move to reasonable substitute housing and owe no rent while the problem lasts (and charge the landlord any extra cost), or sue for the reduced rental value. In an eviction for nonpayment, you can counterclaim for the landlord's breaches; the court can reduce the rent or order you to pay rent into court until repairs are made. AS 34.03.180(a)(2)-(3), 34.03.190.

Law

AS 34.03.100, 34.03.160, 34.03.180, 34.03.190

Full Alaska repair rights guide

Landlord entry in Alaska

At least 24 hours' notice of intent to enter, and entry only at reasonable times. No notice is needed in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. You may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, repair or show the unit. During an absence of more than 7 days, the landlord may enter when reasonably necessary. If the landlord enters unlawfully, enters in an unreasonable way, or harasses you with repeated demands, you can get a court order or end the lease on 10 days' written notice, and recover actual damages or one month's rent, whichever is greater, plus court costs and attorney fees. AS 34.03.140, 34.03.230(b), 34.03.300(b).

Eviction in Alaska

Notice for unpaid rent

7-day written notice of nonpayment saying the tenancy will end if the rent is not paid. If you pay the rent in full within the 7 days, you can stay. If the notice is mailed, 3 days are added. Unpaid late fees alone are not a reason to evict (Department of Law handbook). Some federally subsidized or federally backed properties require 30 days. AS 34.03.220(b), 09.45.090(a)(1), (c).

Notice for a lease violation

10-day written notice for a material breach of the lease, or a breach of your duties that materially affects health and safety. If you fix it within 10 days you can stay. If substantially the same breach happens again within 6 months, the landlord can use a 5-day notice with no right to fix. No-cure notices: 24 hours to 5 days for deliberately causing damage over $400 or for prostitution or other illegal activity on the premises; 5 days if a utility is cut off because you did not pay it (you can stay if you restore service and repay the landlord within 3 days). 3 days are added if a notice is mailed. AS 34.03.220(a), (e); 09.45.090.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Landlord or tenant: written notice given at least 30 days before the rent due date named in the notice. Week-to-week: at least 14 days (while rent is current). The landlord's notice to quit must state the reason, the termination date, and that the landlord may sue to evict if you stay. AS 34.03.290(a)-(b), 09.45.105.

Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit

The court self-help center says you have 20 days after you are served to file a written Answer. But the eviction (possession) hearing is set no more than 15 days after the case is filed, and you must be served at least 2 days before it, so it usually comes before the Answer is due. Go to the hearing. Civil Rule 85(a)(2); AS 09.45.120.

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

The landlord may not remove or lock you out or take possession except through the court, and may not willfully cut off electricity, gas, water, sanitary or other essential services. Landlord liens on household goods and seizing belongings for rent are abolished. You can recover possession or end the lease, and recover up to 1.5 times your actual damages. AS 34.03.210, 34.03.250, 34.03.280.

Court self-help

The court's eviction self-help page

Law

AS 34.03.210, 34.03.220, 34.03.280, 34.03.290; AS 09.45.090-09.45.120; Alaska Civil Rule 85

Full Alaska eviction guide

Small claims court in Alaska

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.

Limit: $10,000 plus interest and court costs. Evictions cannot be filed in small claims.

Where to get free help in Alaska

• Alaska Department of Law: The Alaska Landlord & Tenant Act, What It Means to You (2024)
• Alaska Court System: Respond to an Eviction Case
• Alaska Court System Self-Help Center
• Alaska Court System eviction diversion program · 907-264-0883
• Alaska Legal Services Corporation · 907-272-9431 or 888-478-2572

Good to know in Alaska

• Deposits are capped at two months' rent (plus up to one month for a pet) unless rent is over $2,000 a month.
• Since 2024 the Alaska Court System runs an eviction diversion program to settle cases without an eviction order (907-264-0883).
• Alaska has no statewide housing code; check your city or borough code (for example, Anchorage).

Free tools for Alaska renters

Pre-set for Alaska. Free, no account needed.

Deposit return calculator for Alaska

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed.

Security deposit demand letter for Alaska

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

Repair request letter for Alaska

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Eviction notice timeline for Alaska

Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.

Other states